Oyo Youth Agency Chairman Prince Adebowale, SSA Student Affairs Hon Victor, Deji Ola, FOSSU National Lead Bodija Market Clean-Up Campaign

The Federation of Oyo State Student Union (FOSSU), led by Comrade Alarape Ibrahim, launched a significant sanitation drive at Bodija Market to promote cleanliness and prevent the spread of diseases.

This initiative saw key figures including the Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Prince Falana Adebowale Adebayo, and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Student Affairs, Hon. Victor Olojede, Hon. Deji Ola actively participating.

Donning white T-shirts with the slogan “Keep Oyo State Clean,” the team covered the entire stretch of Oju-irin Bodija to the main market area. Using megaphones, they educated traders on disease prevention, with a focus on combating the recent cholera outbreak in some state. They emphasized the importance of preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Prince Falana Adebowale Adebayo praised the youth’s initiative, stating, “It’s a thing of pride to see young people committed to ensuring a clean and safe environment for Oyo State. I joined to show my support and encourage others. As youths, it should be in our DNA to promote a safe, healthy, and cleaner environment for all.”

Hon. Victor Olojede expressed his delight at the student body’s proactive stance. He noted, “It’s heartening to see students taking the lead in sensitizing traders on the importance of maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment. This initiative is crucial, especially with the recent cholera outbreak. Starting from major markets where food items are sourced is a bold step. I urge everyone to seek medical attention if they notice any unusual symptoms.” He commended FOSSU President Comrade Alarape Ibrahim for the initiative and thanked all participants for their support.

Hon. Deji Ola, founder of the NGO ‘Friends of Deji Ola,’ also participated in the cleanup. He remarked, “This well-thought-out initiative is timely and commendable, especially amidst the current cholera epidemic. Citizens must prioritize environmental health, as it directly impacts overall health. The state government, under Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership, has been promoting good environmental hygiene, evident in the market’s condition today. I am glad to see traders actively participating in the clean-up exercise.”

Comrade Alarape Ibrahim, speaking with journalists, shared that the initiative was driven by the desire to ensure the safety of market traders. “Our parents and loved ones may be too busy to prioritize health and safety processes. That’s why we organized this campaign to sensitize them on the importance of maintaining safe and healthy practices. It’s crucial to comply with health instructions to prevent cholera outbreaks,” he explained.

The cleanup event saw participation from various stakeholders, including Prince Falana Adebowale Adebayo, Hon. Victor Olojede, Hon. Deji Ola, Comrade Alarape Ibrahim, students, and other community members.